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The AgriScience Fair, Container Grown Plants, Floral Cup, Public Speaking, and Robotics competitions all required a submission of entry by March 1. While they are closed to further entries for the 2022 Fair, the projects will be on display or take place during the fair. The AgriScience Fair, Container Crown Plants and Floral cup entries will be displayed in the Freestate building.

Karo Buck Canton FFA Age: 17 Grade: 12What are you showing this year at the VZ Fair? This year I will be showing a market cross in the market show. What have you shown in the past? My junior year I exhibited a Purebred Berkshire Gilt in the market show, placing third in my class making sale.

The Junior Livestock Auction is held each year on Friday of the County Fair, and is scheduled for April 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Todd Berry Building. This is the culmination of the exhibitor’s experience with their perspective animal. There are approximately 100 projects in the premium sale based on placing in their competitions. The full set of rules is available at www.vzfair.org. The sale can get lively and frequently we are surprised by exhibitors kissing their animal, pigs and recently a lot of “chicken” dancers. The 2021 sale chicken exhibitor, Maeleigh Houser, was surprised by a friend in a chicken costume assisting her in selling her chickens.

The Free Family Fun Night is back! Ten local ministries are sponsoring the event on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at the Zeke Burns Arena. There is a free chili dinner prepared by James Jester of Cedar Top Chuck Wagon Ministry. Food service will begin around 5:30 p.m. along with Dwayne Williams bringing some encouraging Christian music and a speaker to follow. After dinner, the children’s youth rodeo will begin with: Stick horse races, mutton bustin, pee wee barrels, calf scramble, jr. barrels, calf riding, and steer riding There is a $5 per car fee to enter the fairgrounds, or $1 per walk-in.

The Canton Trail Riders Annual Open Rodeo Thursday, March 31, through Saturday, April 2 at the Zeke Burns Arena. Admission is $5 per car for entry to the fairgrounds, or a $1 per walk in, and an additional $5 per person for the rodeo, children under 3 free. Rodeo contestant’s pre-entry should be made at on-line at cantonopenrodeo. com. On-line pre-entry begins on March 21, 2022. The rodeo starts at 8 p.m. nightly. Rodeo events and entry fees are: Mutton Bustin $25; Calf riding $40; Steers $50; Junior break-away $45; Women’s break-away $60; Calf Roping: open, $65; junior $45; Rescue Race $30; Pee-Wee $25; Junior Barrels $40; Open Barrels $50; Bulls $75 and Team Roping $80; Steer saddling, team of three, $60.

Admittance to the grounds: $5 per car or $ 1 walk-in CARNIVAL RIDES 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday, March 30 $20 arm band 6 p.m.

Creative Arts is back! Volunteer Shelly Barr is organizing the Adult and Youth Creative Arts competition for the 2022 fair. There is a $5 entry fee for each item. Entry is open to all adults of Van Zandt County, and youth residing in or attending a Van Zandt school. The youth entries will further be divided into age categories: Pee Wee-5 years to 7 years old; Jr. Division-ages 8 -12 and Sr. Division-ages 14 - 18 (still in high school) This division is open to all youth, ages 8 to 18 (still in high school).

Put a little spring into your step this season by visiting one of the numerous festivals and events that Van Zandt County and surrounding areas has to offer. As the county welcomes a new spring season, this guide helps you navigate the when and where of local events.

Ben Wheeler Chili Cookoff Downtown Ben Wheeler will play host to the Second Annual Chili Cook-off with proceeds to benefi t the local Ben Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department. The all-you-can-eat chili and best cornbread contest will be held from 11 a.m.

Terrell Taco Festival The City of Terrell and the Terrell Chamber of Commerce/CVB are sponsoring the Terrell Taco Festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.